After a smooth sailing start to the season, it was only a matter of time before the undefeated Gators faced real adversity. And that is what happened on Friday afternoon.
Six hits in the first frame allowed the No. 8-ranked Bruins to take an early 6-0 lead.
In response, the Gators recorded six hits of their own in the bottom of the first. Sophomore Taylor Shumaker led the bottom half off with an opposite-field homer. The solo shot marked Shumaker’s 11th RBI in Fullerton. She had four hits Friday.
From then on, Florida recorded five more hits in the inning. Most notably, senior Kenleigh Cahalan recorded a longball of her own that made the deficit 6-3.
Sophomore Gabi Comia recorded her 32nd hit of the season, scoring junior Kendall Grover, and the deficit was quickly down to two.
The response in the bottom half was not enough as No. 4 Florida (21-1) suffered its first defeat of the season to No. 8 UCLA (15-3) 15-12 Friday at Anderson Family Field. The slugfest was the polar opposite of the last meeting between the Gators and Bruins in 2024, as that contest ended 1-0 in favor of UF.
Ultimately, Florida outhit UCLA, recording 21 hits compared to the Bruins’ 15.
The Bruins wasted no time as the designated visitors in the top-10 showdown. Rylee Slimp led off with a single up the middle, bringing up the nation’s RBI leader, Jordan Woolery. Woolery delivered immediately, blasting a two-run home run for her 37th and 38th RBIs of the season to give UCLA a 2-0 lead.
Shortly after, UCLA forced a walk and another single, and an error committed by Florida second baseman Gabi Comia found the Bruins with the bases loaded.
As a result, redshirt freshman Aleena Garcia launched a grand slam, putting UCLA on top 6-0.
Leading the charge at the plate for UCLA was second baseman Kaniya Bragg. The sophomore tied her season high of three hits and scored three runs as well.
After its lead was cut to two, UCLA responded immediately. Catcher Alexis Ramirez roped a three-run homer, scoring Bragg and Bri Alejandre, giving the Bruins a comfortable 9-4 advantage.
Florida answered in the bottom half, scoring two runs courtesy of a pair of singles by juniors Kendall Grover and Madison Walker, cutting the Bruins' lead in half. Grover recorded three hits and one RBI in the loss.
However, UCLA put up a five-spot in the top of the fourth to gain a 15-6 advantage. The Bruins executed through small ball as they recorded two singles and forced two bases-loaded walks in the frame.
Looking down and out, Florida responded in the bottom half after catcher Ella Wesolowski lined a two-RBI double into left field. Wesolowski had a career-high three doubles on Friday. Townsen Thomas recorded an RBI single to score Wesolowski and the Gators began to show signs of life.
Shumaker launched her second longball of the day in the bottom of the 6th to make the Gators' deficit.
Eventually, the Gators had the tying run up to bat after Shumaker recorded her fourth RBI of the day, cutting the lead 15-12, but senior Jocelyn Erickson grounded out to first, ending the game.
Coming off its first defeat, Florida continues action on Friday against Loyola Marymount. First pitch is set for 8 p.m. at Anderson Family Field.
Contact Zach Moore at zmoore@alligator.org. Follow him on X @zach_moore27.
Zach is a sophomore sports journalism student in his first semester at The Alligator, covering softball. He also has experience as an intern in the Florida Collegiate Summer League. Zach enjoys watching sports in his free time, primarily the Minnesota Vikings, Orlando Magic, and Arsenal FC.
